U.S. patent number 10,932,845 [Application Number 15/499,359] was granted by the patent office on 2021-03-02 for detent feature for articulation control in surgical instrument.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Ethicon LLC. The grantee listed for this patent is ETHICON LLC. Invention is credited to Barry C. Worrell.
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United States Patent |
10,932,845 |
Worrell |
March 2, 2021 |
Detent feature for articulation control in surgical instrument
Abstract
An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, an articulation
section, an end effector, and an articulation drive assembly. The
articulation drive assembly is configured to drive the articulation
section to deflect the end effector relative to the longitudinal
axis from a non-articulated configuration to an articulated
configuration. The articulation drive assembly includes a rotatable
housing, a static member, and an indication feature. The rotatable
housing is rotatably coupled to the body. The static member is
fixed relative to the body. The indication feature is configured to
indicate when the end effector is deflected into the
non-articulated configuration. The indication feature includes a
ridge and a cantilever arm. The ridge extends from an exterior
surface of the rotatable housing. The cantilever arm defines a slot
configured to house the ridge when the end effector is in the
non-articulated configuration.
Inventors: |
Worrell; Barry C. (Centerville,
OH) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ETHICON LLC |
Guaynabo |
PR |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Ethicon LLC (Guaynabo,
PR)
|
Family
ID: |
1000005391755 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/499,359 |
Filed: |
April 27, 2017 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20180310982 A1 |
Nov 1, 2018 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B
18/1445 (20130101); A61B 17/2841 (20130101); A61B
18/12 (20130101); A61B 17/2909 (20130101); A61B
2017/00327 (20130101); A61B 2090/0811 (20160201); A61B
17/29 (20130101); A61B 2018/00202 (20130101); A61B
2017/00305 (20130101); A61B 2017/00309 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61B
18/14 (20060101); A61B 17/29 (20060101); A61B
17/00 (20060101); A61B 17/28 (20060101); A61B
18/12 (20060101); A61B 90/00 (20160101); A61B
18/00 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2889005 |
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Jul 2015 |
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EP |
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2997923 |
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Mar 2016 |
|
EP |
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WO 2016/168558 |
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Oct 2016 |
|
WO |
|
Other References
US. Appl. No. 61/410,603, filed Nov. 5, 2010. cited by applicant
.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Jul. 5, 2018
for International Application No. PCT/US2018/027781, 9 pages. cited
by applicant .
European Search Report, Supplementary, and Written Opinion dated
Dec. 4, 2020 for Application No. EP 18791839.6, 11 pgs. cited by
applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Della; Jaymi E
Assistant Examiner: Vierra; Rachel A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Frost Brown Todd LLC
Claims
I claim:
1. An apparatus comprising: (a) a body; (b) a shaft assembly
extending distally from the body, wherein the shaft assembly
defines a longitudinal axis; (c) an articulation section attached
to a distal end of the shaft assembly; (d) an end effector located
distally relative to the shaft assembly, wherein the end effector
is connected to the articulation section; and (e) an articulation
drive assembly, wherein the articulation drive assembly is
configured to drive the articulation section to deflect the end
effector relative to the longitudinal axis from a non-articulated
configuration to an articulated configuration, wherein the
articulation drive assembly comprises: (i) a rotatable housing
rotatably coupled to the body, (ii) one or more pins extending
through the rotatable housing, (iii) one or more drive screws
slidably coupled to the one or more pins, (iv) a static member
fixed relative to the body, wherein the static member comprises a
cap defining one or more pin holes, wherein each pin hole of the
one or more pin holes is coupled to a respective pin of the one or
more pins, and (v) an indication feature configured to indicate
when the end effector is deflected into the non-articulated
configuration, wherein the indication feature comprises: (A) a
ridge extending from an exterior surface of the rotatable housing,
and (B) a cantilever arm defining a slot configured to house the
ridge when the end effector is in the non-articulated
configuration, wherein the cantilever arm is directly fixed to the
cap and extends along a longitudinal direction from the cap.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the slot defines an open end
configured to longitudinally receive the ridge without flexing the
cantilever arm.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ridge is configured to
deflect the cantilever arm when the rotatable housing rotates the
ridge into or out of the slot.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the cantilever arm is
configured to provide a tactile response to the ridge rotating into
or out of the slot.
5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the cantilever arm is
configured to provide an audible response to the ridge rotating
into or out of the slot.
6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the cantilever arm is
configured to provide a frictional braking force in response to the
ridge rotating into or out of the slot.
7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the body defines a cutout
configured to house the cantilever arm when deflected by the
ridge.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cantilever arm comprises a
camming projection extending from the static member, wherein the
camming projection and the ridge are configured to interact with
each other when the end effector is deflected into the
non-articulated configuration.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the camming projection is
resilient such that the ridge is configured to deflect the camming
projection relative to the rotatable housing from a natural
position to a flexed position.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the camming projection is
configured to provide a tactile response against the rotatable
housing when moving from the flexed position to the natural
position.
11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the ridge comprises a radial
contour.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the end effector comprises at
least one electrode operable to apply RF electrosurgical energy to
tissue.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rotatable housing is
configured to house a portion of the shaft assembly.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the rotatable housing is
configured to rotate relative to the shaft assembly.
15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the shaft assembly is
configured to translate relative to the rotatable housing.
16. An apparatus comprising: (a) a body; (b) a shaft assembly
extending distally from the body, wherein the shaft assembly
defines a longitudinal axis; (c) an articulation section attached
to a distal end of the shaft assembly; (d) an end effector located
distally relative to the shaft assembly, wherein the end effector
is connected to the articulation section; and (e) an articulation
drive assembly, wherein the articulation drive assembly is
configured to drive the articulation section to thereby deflect the
end effector relative to the longitudinal axis from a
non-articulated configuration to an articulated configuration,
wherein the articulation drive assembly comprises: (i) a housing
rotatably coupled with the body, wherein the housing further
comprises a radially extending ridge, (ii) a cap coupled with the
housing, wherein the cap is fixed to the body, wherein the cap
defines a shaft through hole, wherein a portion of the shaft
assembly extends longitudinally through the shaft through hole, and
(iii) a resilient indication feature directly attached to the cap
and extending longitudinally from the cap toward the ridge, wherein
the ridge is configured to flex the resilient indication feature to
snap against the housing in response to the end effector deflecting
into the non-articulated configuration.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the resilient indication
feature comprises a slot configured to house the ridge when the end
effector is in the non-articulated configuration.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the resilient indication
feature is configured to provide a frictional braking force against
the housing when the ridge is housed within the slot.
19. An apparatus comprising: (a) a body; (b) a shaft assembly
extending distally from the body, wherein the shaft assembly
defines a longitudinal axis; (c) an articulation section attached
to a distal end of the shaft assembly; (d) an end effector located
distally relative to the shaft assembly, wherein the end effector
is connected to the articulation section; and (e) an articulation
drive assembly, wherein the articulation drive assembly is
configured to drive the articulation section to thereby deflect the
end effector relative to the longitudinal axis from a
non-articulated configuration to an articulated configuration,
wherein the articulation drive assembly comprises: (i) a cap fixed
to the body, wherein the cap defines a shaft through hole, wherein
a portion of the shaft assembly longitudinally extends through the
shaft through hole, (ii) a rotatable housing rotatably coupled to
the cap, wherein the rotatable housing comprises a ridge, and (iii)
a resilient indication feature formed with the cap such that the
resilient indication feature is directly attached to the cap,
wherein the resilient indication feature extends longitudinally
from the cap, wherein the resilient indication feature is
configured to interact with the ridge to provide a tactile response
in response to the end effector deflecting into the non-articulated
configuration.
Description
BACKGROUND
A variety of surgical instruments include a tissue cutting element
and one or more elements that transmit radio frequency (RF) energy
to tissue (e.g., to coagulate or seal the tissue). An example of
such an electrosurgical instrument is the ENSEAL.RTM. Tissue
Sealing Device by Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Further examples of such devices and related concepts are disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 6,500,176 entitled "Electrosurgical Systems and
Techniques for Sealing Tissue," issued Dec. 31, 2002, the
disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat.
No. 7,112,201 entitled "Electrosurgical Instrument and Method of
Use," issued Sep. 26, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated
by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 7,125,409, entitled
"Electrosurgical Working End for Controlled Energy Delivery,"
issued Oct. 24, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated by
reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 7,169,146 entitled "Electrosurgical
Probe and Method of Use," issued Jan. 30, 2007, the disclosure of
which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 7,186,253,
entitled "Electrosurgical Jaw Structure for Controlled Energy
Delivery," issued Mar. 6, 2007, the disclosure of which is
incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 7,189,233, entitled
"Electrosurgical Instrument," issued Mar. 13, 2007, the disclosure
of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No.
7,220,951, entitled "Surgical Sealing Surfaces and Methods of Use,"
issued May 22, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by
reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 7,309,849, entitled "Polymer
Compositions Exhibiting a PTC Property and Methods of Fabrication,"
issued Dec. 18, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by
reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 7,311,709, entitled
"Electrosurgical Instrument and Method of Use," issued Dec. 25,
2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein;
U.S. Pat. No. 7,354,440, entitled "Electrosurgical Instrument and
Method of Use," issued Apr. 8, 2008, the disclosure of which is
incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 7,381,209, entitled
"Electrosurgical Instrument," issued Jun. 3, 2008, the disclosure
of which is incorporated by reference herein.
Additional examples of electrosurgical cutting instruments and
related concepts are disclosed in U.S. Pub. No. 2011/0087218,
entitled "Surgical Instrument Comprising First and Second Drive
Systems Actuatable by a Common Trigger Mechanism," published Apr.
14, 2011, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,939,974 on Jan. 27, 2015, the
disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pub.
No. 2012/0083783, entitled "Surgical Instrument with Jaw Member,"
published Apr. 5, 2012, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,888,809 on Nov.
18, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference
herein; U.S. Pub. No. 2012/0116379, entitled "Motor Driven
Electrosurgical Device with Mechanical and Electrical Feedback,"
published May 10, 2012, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,161,803 on Oct.
20, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference
herein; U.S. Pub. No. 2012/0078243, entitled "Control Features for
Articulating Surgical Device," published Mar. 29, 2012, issued as
U.S. Pat. No. 9,877,720 on Jan. 30, 2018, the disclosure of which
is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pub. No. 2012/0078247,
entitled "Articulation Joint Features for Articulating Surgical
Device," published Mar. 29, 2012, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,402,682
on Aug. 2, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated by
reference herein; U.S. Pub. No. 2013/0030428, entitled "Surgical
Instrument with Multi-Phase Trigger Bias," published Jan. 31, 2013,
issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,089,327 on Jul. 28, 2015, the disclosure
of which is incorporated by reference herein; and U.S. Pub. No.
2013/0023868, entitled "Surgical Instrument with Contained Dual
Helix Actuator Assembly," published Jan. 31, 2013, issued as U.S.
Pat. No. 9,545,253 on Jan. 17, 2017, the disclosure of which is
incorporated by reference herein.
Still other examples of electrosurgical cutting instruments and
related concepts are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,526,565, entitled
"Electrosurgical Devices," issued Dec. 27, 2016, the disclosure of
which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 9,492,224,
entitled "Multi-Function Bi-Polar Forceps," issued Nov. 15, 2016,
the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; and
U.S. Pub. No. 2016/0100882, entitled "Methods and Devices for
Articulating Laparoscopic Energy Device," published Apr. 14, 2016,
issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,292,758 on May 21, 2019, the disclosure
of which is incorporated by reference herein.
While a variety of surgical instruments have been made and used, it
is believed that no one prior to the inventors has made or used the
invention described in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the specification concludes with claims which particularly
point out and distinctly claim this technology, it is believed this
technology will be better understood from the following description
of certain examples taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which like reference numerals identify the same
elements and in which:
FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary electrosurgical
instrument;
FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary articulation
assembly and end effector of the electrosurgical instrument of FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 depicts an exploded view of the articulation assembly and
end effector of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional rear view of a shaft assembly of
the electrosurgical instrument of FIG. 1, taken along line 4-4 of
FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 depicts a cross-sectional rear view of the articulation
assembly of FIG. 2, taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 depicts a cross-sectional rear view of the end effector of
FIG. 2, taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 7A depicts a side elevational view of a handle assembly of the
electrosurgical instrument of FIG. 1, where the end effector is in
an open and unfired state, where a portion of the handle assembly
is omitted for purposes of clarity;
FIG. 7B depicts a side elevational view of the handle assembly of
FIG. 7A, where the end effector is in a closed and unfired state,
where a portion of the handle assembly is omitted for purposes of
clarity;
FIG. 7C depicts a side elevational view of the handle assembly of
FIG. 7A, where the end effector is in a closed and fired state,
where a portion of the handle assembly is omitted for purposes of
clarity;
FIG. 8A depicts a cross-sectional side view of the end effector of
FIG. 2, where the end effector is in the open and unfired state,
taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8B depicts a cross-sectional side view of the end effector of
FIG. 2, where the end effector is in the closed and unfired state,
taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8C depicts a cross-sectional side view of the end effector of
FIG. 2, where the end effector is in the closed and fired state,
taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 9A depicts an elevational side view of the handle assembly of
FIG. 7A, where the articulation assembly of FIG. 2 is a
non-articulated configuration, where selected portions of the
handle assembly are omitted for purposes of clarity;
FIG. 9B depicts an elevational side view of the handle assembly of
FIG. 7A, where the articulation assembly of FIG. 2 is in a first
articulated configuration, were selected portions of the handle
assembly are omitted for purposes of clarity;
FIG. 9C depicts an elevational side view of the handle assembly of
FIG. 7A, where the articulation assembly of FIG. 2 is in a second
articulated configuration, were selected portions of the handle
assembly are omitted for purposes of clarity;
FIG. 10A depicts a top plan view of the end effector and
articulation assembly of FIG. 2, where the articulation assembly is
in the non-articulated configuration;
FIG. 10B depicts a top plan view of the end effector and
articulation assembly of FIG. 2, where the articulation assembly is
in the first articulated configuration;
FIG. 10C depicts a top plan view of the end effector and
articulation assembly of FIG. 2, where the articulation assembly is
in the second articulated configuration;
FIG. 11 depicts another perspective view of the handle assembly of
FIG. 7A, with selected portions omitted for purposes of
clarity;
FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of a rotatable housing of an
articulation drive assembly of the handle assembly of FIG. 7A;
FIG. 13 depicts a perspective view of a proximal cap of the
articulation drive assembly of the handle assembly of FIG. 7A;
FIG. 14A depicts a top plan view of the handle assembly of FIG. 7A,
with a portion of the handle assembly omitted, where the rotatable
housing of FIG. 12 is rotated to a first rotational position
relative to the proximal cap of FIG. 13, where the first rotational
position of the rotatable housing corresponds to the articulation
assembly of FIG. 3 in an articulated configuration;
FIG. 14B depicts a top plan view of the handle assembly of FIG. 7A,
with a portion of the handle assembly omitted, where the rotatable
housing of FIG. 12 is rotated to a second rotational position
relative to the proximal cap of FIG. 13, where the second
rotational position of the rotatable housing corresponds to the
articulation assembly of FIG. 3 in an articulated
configuration;
FIG. 14C depicts a top plan view of the handle assembly of FIG. 7A,
with a portion of the handle assembly omitted, where the rotatable
housing of FIG. 12 is rotated to a third rotational position
relative to the proximal cap of FIG. 13, where the third rotational
position of the rotatable housing corresponds to the articulation
assembly of FIG. 3 in the non-articulated configuration;
FIG. 15A depicts a cross-sectional rear view of the handle assembly
of FIG. 7A, where the rotatable housing of FIG. 12 is rotated to
the first rotational position relative to the proximal cap of FIG.
13, where the first rotational position of the rotatable housing
corresponds to the articulation assembly of FIG. 3 in an
articulated configuration, taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 11;
FIG. 15B depicts a cross-sectional rear view of the handle assembly
of FIG. 7A, where the rotatable housing of FIG. 12 is rotated to
the second rotational position relative to the proximal cap of FIG.
13, where the second rotational position of the rotatable housing
corresponds to the articulation assembly of FIG. 3 in an
articulated configuration, taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 11;
and
FIG. 15C depicts a cross-sectional rear view of the handle assembly
of FIG. 7A, where the rotatable housing of FIG. 12 is rotated to
the third rotational position relative to the proximal cap of FIG.
13, where the third rotational position of the rotatable housing
corresponds to the articulation assembly of FIG. 3 in the
non-articulated configuration, taken along line 15-15 of FIG.
11.
The drawings are not intended to be limiting in any way, and it is
contemplated that various embodiments of the technology may be
carried out in a variety of other ways, including those not
necessarily depicted in the drawings. The accompanying drawings
incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate
several aspects of the present technology, and together with the
description serve to explain the principles of the technology; it
being understood, however, that this technology is not limited to
the precise arrangements shown.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following description of certain examples of the technology
should not be used to limit its scope. Other examples, features,
aspects, embodiments, and advantages of the technology will become
apparent to those skilled in the art from the following
description, which is by way of illustration, one of the best modes
contemplated for carrying out the technology. As will be realized,
the technology described herein is capable of other different and
obvious aspects, all without departing from the technology.
Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as
illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
It is further understood that any one or more of the teachings,
expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. described herein may be
combined with any one or more of the other teachings, expressions,
embodiments, examples, etc. that are described herein. The
following-described teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples,
etc. should therefore not be viewed in isolation relative to each
other. Various suitable ways in which the teachings herein may be
combined will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art in view of the teachings herein. Such modifications and
variations are intended to be included within the scope of the
claims.
For clarity of disclosure, the terms "proximal" and "distal" are
defined herein relative to a surgeon or other operator grasping a
surgical instrument having a distal surgical end effector. The term
"proximal" refers the position of an element closer to the surgeon
or other operator and the term "distal" refers to the position of
an element closer to the surgical end effector of the surgical
instrument and further away from the surgeon or other operator.
I. Exemplary Electrosurgical Instrument
FIGS. 1-10 show an exemplary electrosurgical instrument (100). As
best seen in FIG. 1, electrosurgical instrument (100) includes a
handle assembly (120), a shaft assembly (140), an articulation
assembly (110), and an end effector (180). As will be described in
greater detail below, end effector (180) of electrosurgical
instrument (100) is operable to grasp, cut, and seal or weld tissue
(e.g., a blood vessel, etc.). In this example, end effector (180)
is configured to seal or weld tissue by applying bipolar radio
frequency (RF) energy to tissue. However, it should be understood
electrosurgical instrument (100) may be configured to seal or weld
tissue through any other suitable means that would be apparent to
one having ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings
herein. For example, electrosurgical instrument (100) may be
configured to seal or weld tissue via an ultrasonic blade, staples,
etc. In the present example, electrosurgical instrument (100) is
electrically coupled to a power source (not shown) via power cable
(10).
The power source may be configured to provide all or some of the
electrical power requirements for use of electrosurgical instrument
(100). Any suitable power source may be used as would be apparent
to one having ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings
herein. By way of example only, the power source may comprise a
GEN04 or GEN11 sold by Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. of Cincinnati,
Ohio. In addition, or in the alternative, the power source may be
constructed in accordance with at least some of the teachings of
U.S. Pub. No. 2011/0087212, entitled "Surgical Generator for
Ultrasonic and Electrosurgical Devices," published Apr. 14, 2011,
issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,986,302 on Mar. 24, 2015, the disclosure
of which is incorporated by reference herein. While in the current
example, electrosurgical instrument (100) is coupled to a power
spruce via power cable (10), electrosurgical instrument (100) may
contain an internal power source or plurality of power sources,
such as a battery and/or supercapacitors, to electrically power
electrosurgical instrument (100). Of course, any suitable
combination of power sources may be utilized to power
electrosurgical instrument (100) as would be apparent to one having
ordinary skill in the art in view of the teaching herein
Handle assembly (120) is configured to be grasped by an operator
with one hand, such that an operator may control and manipulate
electrosurgical instrument (100) with a single hand. Shaft assembly
(140) extends distally from handle assembly (120) and connects to
articulation assembly (110). Articulation assembly (110) is also
connected to a proximal end of end effector (180). As will be
described in greater detail below, components of handle assembly
(120) are configured to control end effector (180) such that an
operator may grasp, cut, and seal or weld tissue. As will also be
described in greater detail below, articulation assembly (110) is
configured to deflect end effector (180) from the longitudinal axis
defined by shaft assembly (140).
Handle assembly (120) includes a body (122), a pistol grip (124), a
jaw closure trigger (126), a knife trigger (128), an activation
button (130), an articulation control (132), and a knob (134). As
will be described in greater detail below, jaw closure trigger
(126) may be pivoted toward and away from pistol grip (124) and/or
body (122) to open and close jaws (182, 184) of end effector (180)
to grasp tissue. Knife trigger (128) may be pivoted toward and away
from pistol grip (124) and/or body (122) to actuate a knife member
(360) within the confines of jaws (182, 184) to cut tissue captured
between jaws (182, 184). Activation button (130) may be pressed to
apply radio frequency (RF) energy to tissue via electrode surfaces
(194, 196) of jaws (182, 184), respectively.
Body (122) of handle assembly (120) defines an opening (123) in
which a portion of articulation control (132) protrudes from.
Articulation control (132) is rotatably disposed within body (122)
such that an operator may rotate the portion of articulation
control (132) protruding from opening (123) to rotate the portion
of articulation control (132) located within body (122). As will be
described in greater detail below, rotation of articulation control
(132) relative to body (122) will drive deflection of end effector
(180) from the longitudinal axis defined by shaft assembly
(140).
Knob (134) is rotatably disposed on the distal end of body (122)
and configured to rotate end effector (180), articulation assembly
(110), and shaft assembly (140) about the longitudinal axis of
shaft assembly (140) relative to handle assembly (120). While in
the current example, end effector (180), articulation assembly
(110), and shaft assembly (140) are rotated by knob (134), knob
(134) may be configured to rotate end effector (180) and
articulation assembly (110) relative to selected portions of shaft
assembly (140). Knob (134) may include any suitable features to
rotate end effector (180), articulation assembly (110), and shaft
assembly (140) as would be apparent to one having ordinary skill in
the art in view of the teachings herein.
As best seen in FIGS. 7A-7C, shaft assembly (140) includes distal
portion (142) extending distally from handle assembly (120), and a
proximal portion (144) housed within the confines of body (122) of
handle assembly (120). As seen in FIG. 4, distal portion (142) of
shaft assembly (140) includes an external sheath (146) and a
housing member (148) disposed within external sheath (146). Housing
member (148) defines four longitudinal pathways (149) disposed
around a central longitudinal pathway (147). Longitudinal pathways
(149) slidably house two rod portions (302) of two articulation
connectors (300), a rod portion (332) of jaw closure connector
(330), and a knife rod (364) of knife member (360); while central
longitudinal pathway (147) houses electrical coupling (15). As will
be described in greater detail below, articulation connectors (300)
are configured to couple certain actuating portions of handle
assembly (120) with end effector (180). Articulation connectors
(300) are configured to translate relative to shaft assembly (140)
to drive articulation of end effector (180) relative to the
longitudinal axis defined by shaft assembly (140). As will also be
described in greater detail below, jaw closure connector (330) is
configured to couple an actuating portion of handle assembly (120)
with end effector (180). Jaw closure connector (330) is configured
to translate relative to shaft assembly (140) to open and close
jaws (182, 184) of end effector (180). As will also be described in
greater detail below, knife member (360) is configured to couple to
an actuating portion of handle assembly (120) to translate a distal
cutting edge (362) within the confines of end effector (180).
As will be described in greater detail below, proximal portion
(144) of shaft assembly (140) extends within handle assembly (120)
and through certain actuating portions of handle assembly (120)
that are configured to longitudinally drive rod portions (302, 332,
364). As will also be described in greater detail below, rod
portions (302, 332, 364) extend within proximal portion (144) and
couple with correspond actuating portions of handle assembly (120).
As best shown in FIGS. 9A-9C, proximal portion (144) defines slots
(145) to allow actuating portions of handle assembly (120) to
couple with rod portions (302, 332, 364) such that translation of
actuation portions of handle assembly (120) relative to shaft
assembly (140) longitudinally drives rod portions (302, 332, 364)
relative to shaft assembly (140). Rod portions (302, 332, 364) are
coupled to certain actuating portions of handle assembly (120) such
that rod portions (302, 332, 364) may rotate with shaft assembly
(140) relative to actuating portions of handle assembly (120); but
also such that rod portions (302, 332, 364) longitudinally
translate with actuating portions of handle assembly (120) relative
to shaft assembly (140). In other words, an operator may utilize
knob (134) to rotate shaft assembly (140) and rod portions (302,
332, 364) relative to handle assembly (120); but also may actuate
rod portions (302, 332, 364) longitudinally relative to shaft
assembly (140).
FIGS. 2-3 show end effector (180), articulation assembly (110), and
a distal portion (142) of shaft assembly (140). Articulation
section (110) extends from a rigid proximal portion (112) to a
distal portion (114). Rigid proximal portion (112) is fixed to
outer sheath (146) of distal portion (142) of shaft assembly (140).
As best seen in FIG. 6, distal portion (114) of articulation
section (110) includes distal projections (115) inserted within the
confines of proximal body (183) of lower jaw (182). A flexible
member (116) extends from the distal end of rigid proximal portion
(112) toward distal portion (114). As seen in FIG. 3, in the
present example, two flexible members (116) are laterally coupled
with each other such that both flexible members (116) extend along
the same longitudinal axis. However, any other suitable combination
or assembly of flexible members (116) may be used as would be
apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art in view of the
teachings herein.
Flexible members (116) include a plurality of guide members (118)
that are configured to slidingly receive a band portion (308) of
articulation connector (300). Flexible members (116) and band
portions (308) are sufficiently flexible to bend relative to the
longitudinal axis defined by shaft assembly (140) (as shown in
FIGS. 10B-10C). As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 6, distal coupling
portion (310) of articulation connector (300) is fixed to proximal
body (183) of a lower jaw (182). As will be described in greater
detail below, translation of articulation connectors (300) will
drive deflection of end effector (180) relative to the longitudinal
axis defined by shaft assembly (140).
As shown in FIG. 5, rigid proximal portion (112) of articulation
section (110) defines a pair of laterally offset pathways (111) and
a central pathway (113). Laterally offset pathways (111) are
dimensioned to slidably house corresponding band portions (308) of
articulation connector (300) and electrical coupling (15); while
central pathway (113) is dimensioned to slidably house
corresponding portions of knife member (360) and band portion (338)
of jaw closure connector (330). Central pathway (313) extends
through flexible member (316) and proximal portion (314) to provide
a pathway for knife member (360) and band portion (338) of jaw
closure connector (330) from shaft assembly (140) to end effector
(180). Therefore, knife member (360) and band portion (338) of jaw
closure connector (330) are both sufficiently flexible to bend
relative to the longitudinal axis defined by shaft assembly (140)
(as shown in FIGS. 10B-10C).
As best seen in FIGS. 2-3 and 8A-8C, end effector (180) includes
lower jaw (182) pivotally coupled with an upper jaw (184) via pivot
couplings (198). Lower jaw (182) includes a proximal body (183)
defining a slot (186), while upper jaw (184) includes proximal arms
(185) defining a slot (188). Lower jaw (182) also defines a central
channel (190) that is configured to receive proximal arms (185) of
upper jaw (184), portions of knife member (360), band portion (338)
of jaw closure connecter (330), and pin (350). Slots (186, 188)
each slidably receive pin (350), which is attached to a distal
coupling portion (340) of jaw closure connector (330). As will be
described in greater detail below, jaw closure connector (330) is
operable to translate within central channel (190) of lower jaw
(182). Translation of jaw closure connector (330) drives pin (350).
As will be described in greater detail below, because pin (350) is
located within both slots (186, 188) and slots (186, 188) are
angled relative to each other, pin (350) cams against proximal arms
(185) to pivot upper jaw (184) toward and away from lower jaw (182)
about pivot couplings (198). Therefore, upper jaw (184) is
configured to pivot toward and away from lower jaw (182) about
pivot couplings (198) to grasp tissue.
The term "pivot" does not necessarily require rotation about a
fixed axis, but may include rotation about an axis that moves
relative to end effector (180). Therefore, the axis at which upper
jaw (184) pivots about lower jaw (182) may translate relative to
both upper jaw (184) and lower jaw (182). Any suitable translation
of the pivot axis may be used as would be apparent to one having
ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein.
Lower jaw (182) and upper jaw (184) also define a knife pathway
(192). Knife pathway (192) is configured to slidingly receive knife
member (360), such that knife member (360) may be retracted (as
shown in FIGS. 8A-8B), and advanced (as shown in FIG. 8C), to cut
tissue captured between jaws (182, 184). Lower jaw (182) and upper
jaw (184) each comprise a respective electrode surface (194, 196).
The power source may provide RF energy to electrode surfaces (194,
196) via electrical coupling (15) that extends through handle
assembly (120), shaft assembly (140), articulation assembly (110),
and electrically couples with one or both of electrode surfaces
(194, 196). Electrical coupling (15) may selectively activate
electrode surfaces (194, 196) in response to an operator pressing
activation button (130).
FIGS. 7A-8C show an exemplary use of instrument (100) for end
effector (180) to grasp, cut, and seal/weld tissue. As described
above, and as shown between FIGS. 7A-7B and 8A-8B, jaw closure
trigger (126) may be pivoted toward and away from pistol grip (124)
and/or body (122) to open and close jaws (182, 184) of end effector
(180) to grasp tissue. In particular, handle assembly (120) further
includes a yoke (158) that is slidably coupled along proximal
portion (144) of shaft assembly (140). Yoke (158) is coupled with
rod portion (332) of jaw closure connector (330) such that
translation of yoke (158) relative to proximal portion (144) of
shaft assembly (140) translates rod portion (332) of jaw closure
connector (330) relative to shaft assembly (140). However, rod
portion (332) of jaw closure connector (330) is operable to rotate
with proximal portion (144) of shaft assembly (140) relative to
yoke (158), such that an operator may rotate knob (134) to rotate
end effector (180) about the longitudinal axis defined by shaft
assembly (140). In other words, rod portion (332) may rotate with
shaft assembly (140), independently of yoke (158); yet rod portion
(332) is longitudinally fixed with yoke (158). Any suitable
coupling mechanism may be used as would be apparent to one having
ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. For
instance, yoke (158) may include an internal recess configured to
allow rotation of a coupling member relative to yoke (158), while
the internal recess of yoke (158) may abut against side walls of
the coupling member to longitudinally drive rod portion (332).
As best seen in FIGS. 7A-7C, yoke (158) is coupled to a body (150)
of jaw closure trigger (126) via a link (154). Link (154) is
pivotally coupled with yoke (158) via pin (156); while link (154)
is also pivotally coupled with body (150) of jaw closure trigger
(126) via pin (152). Additionally, jaw closure trigger (126) is
pivotally coupled with body (122) of handle assembly (120) via pin
(170). Therefore, as shown between FIGS. 7A-7B, an operator may
pull jaw closure trigger (126) toward pistol grip (124), thereby
rotating jaw closure trigger (126) about pin (170). Rotation of jaw
closure trigger (126) leads to rotation of link (154) about both
pins (152, 156), which in turn drives yoke (158) in the proximal
direction along proximal portion (144) of shaft assembly (140). As
described above, jaw closure connector (330) extends within shaft
assembly (140), articulation section (110), and central channel
(190) of lower jaw (182). Additionally, jaw closure connector (330)
is also attached to pin (350). Therefore, as seen between FIGS.
8A-8B, proximal translation of yoke (158) leads to proximal
translation of pin (350), which in turn cams against slots (188) of
proximal arms (185) of upper jaw (184), thereby rotating upper jaw
(184) about pivot couplings (198) toward lower jaw (182) such that
jaws (182, 184) achieve a closed configuration.
As best seen in FIGS. 7A-7B, yoke (158) is also coupled with a bias
spring (155). Bias spring (155) is also coupled to a portion of
body (122), such that bias spring (155) biases yoke (158) to the
position shown in FIG. 7A (associated with the open configuration
of end effector (180) as shown in FIG. 8A). Therefore, if an
operator releases jaw closure trigger (126), bias spring (155) will
translate yoke (158) to the position shown in FIG. 7A, thereby
opening jaws (182, 184) of end effector (180).
As described above, and as shown between FIGS. 7B-7C and 8B-8C,
knife trigger (128) may be pivoted toward and away from body (122)
and/or pistol grip (124) to actuate knife member (360) within knife
pathway (192) of jaws (182, 184) to cut tissue captured between
jaws (182, 184). In particular, handle assembly (120) further
includes a knife coupling body (174) that is slidably coupled along
proximal portion (144) of shaft assembly (140). Knife coupling body
(174) is coupled with knife rod (364) of knife member (360) such
that translation of knife coupling body (174) relative to proximal
portion (144) of shaft assembly (140) translates knife rod (364)
and knife member (360) relative to shaft assembly (140). However,
knife rod (364) of knife member (360) is operable to rotate with
proximal portion (144) of shaft assembly (140) relative to knife
coupling body (174), such that an operator may rotate knob (134) to
rotate end effector (180) about the longitudinal axis defined by
shaft assembly (140). In other words, knife rod (264) may rotate
with shaft assembly (140), independently of knife coupling body
(174); yet knife rod (264) is longitudinally fixed to knife
coupling body (174). Any suitable coupling mechanism may be used as
would be apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art in view
of the teachings herein. For instance, knife coupling body (174)
may include an internal recess that is configured to allow rotation
of a coupling member relative to knife coupling body (174), while
the internal recess of knife coupling body (174) may abut against
side walls of the coupling member to longitudinally drive knife
member (360).
As best seen in FIGS. 7B-7C, knife coupling body (174) is coupled
to a second pivoting arm (168) via a protrusion (176) of the knife
coupling body (174) and a slot (172) defined by second pivoting arm
(168). Second pivoting arm (168) is pivotally coupled with body
(122) of handle assembly (120) via pin (170). Second pivoting arm
(168) is coupled to a first pivoting arm (160) via a protrusion
(166) of second pivoting arm (168) and a slot (164) defined by
first pivoting arm (160). First pivoting arm (160) is pivotally
connected to a pin (162) and is unitarily attached to knife trigger
(128). Therefore, as knife trigger (128) pivots toward body (122)
and/or pistol grip (124), first pivoting arm (160) pivots about pin
(162) in a first angular direction. As first pivoting arm (160)
pivots about pin (162), second pivoting arm (168) pivots about pin
(170) in a second, opposite, angular direction due to slot (164)
actuating protrusion (166). As second pivoting arm (168) pivots
about pin (170) in the second angular direction, knife coupling
body (174) translates along proximal portion (144) of shaft
assembly (140) due to slot (172) actuating protrusion (176) of
knife coupling body (174). Because knife coupling body (174) is
coupled to knife member (360), knife member (360) translates
distally within shaft assembly (140), articulation section (110),
and within knife pathway (192) of end effector (180), as best shown
between FIGS. 8B-8C. Knife member (360) includes distal cutting
edge (362) that is configured to sever tissue captured between jaws
(182, 184). Therefore, pivoting knife trigger (128) causes knife
member (360) to actuate within knife pathway (192) of end effector
(180) to sever tissue captured between jaws (182, 184).
As best seen in FIGS. 7B-7C, knife trigger (128) is biased to the
positions shown in FIG. 7A-7B by a bias arm (129). Bias arm (129)
may include any suitable biasing mechanism as would be apparent to
one having ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings
herein. For instance, bias arm (129) may include a torsion spring.
Bias arm (129) is also coupled to a portion of body (122), such
that bias arm (129) biases knife trigger (128) to the position
shown in FIG. 7A-7B (associated with the knife member (360) in the
retracted position). Therefore, if an operator releases knife
trigger (128), bias arm (129) returns knife trigger (128) to the
position shown in FIGS. 7A-7B, thereby translating knife member
(360) toward the retracted position.
With distal cutting edge (362) of knife actuated to the advance
position (position shown in FIG. 8C), an operator may press
activation button (130) to selectively activate electrode surfaces
(194, 196) of jaws (182, 184) to weld/seal severed tissue that is
captured between jaws (182, 184).
As described above, and as best shown between FIGS. 9A-10C,
rotation of articulation control (132) relative to body (122) of
hand assembly (120) will drive deflection of end effector (180)
from the longitudinal axis defined by shaft assembly (140) from a
non-articulated configuration (FIG. 10A) to an articulated
configuration (FIGS. 10B-10C). In particular, as best shown in
FIGS. 9A-9C, handle assembly (120) further includes an articulation
drive assembly (200). Articulation drive assembly (200) includes a
rotatable housing (220) that is unitarily connected to articulation
control (132), such that rotation of articulation control (132)
relative to body (122) leads to rotation of rotatable housing (220)
relative to body (122). Half of rotatable housing (220) is
purposely omitted from FIGS. 9A-9C for purposes of clarity.
Rotatable housing (220) and articulation control (132) are
rotatably coupled to a distal cap (202) and a proximal cap (210),
which are both fixed to body (122) of handle assembly (120).
Rotatable housing (220) includes a first internal threading (222)
and a second internal threading (224). First internal threading
(222) is threaded in an opposite orientation/direction as compared
to second internal threading (224).
Additionally, articulation drive assembly (200) includes a first
lead screw (230) and a second lead screw (250) slidably coupled
along proximal portion (144) of shaft assembly (140). First lead
screw (230) and second lead screw (250) each have pins (204)
extending through them. Pins (204) are fixed to proximal cap (210)
and distal cap (202). Therefore, pins (204) are rotationally fixed
relative to body (122) of handle assembly (120). Because pins (204)
extend through lead screws (230, 250), lead screws (230, 250) are
also rotationally fixed relative to body (122) of handle assembly
(120). However, first lead screw (230) and second lead screw (250)
are slidably attached to pins (204). Therefore, lead screws (230,
250) may translate, without rotating, along pins (204) and proximal
portion (144) of shaft assembly (140) within the confines of
rotatable housing (220).
First lead screw (230) includes threading (232) that is configured
to complementary mesh with first internal threading (222) of
rotatable housing (220). Second lead screw (250) includes threading
(252) that is configured to complementary mesh with second internal
threading (224) of rotatable housing (220). Because lead screws
(230, 250) are rotationally fixed relative to body (122), and
because each lead screw (230, 250) has threading (232, 252) that
meshes with internal threading (222, 224) having opposing
orientations/direction, rotation of rotatable housing (220) in one
direction leads to simultaneous translation of lead screws (230,
250) in opposing longitudinal directions. In other words, rotation
of rotatable housing (220) causes first and second internal
threading (222, 224) to cam against threading (232, 252) of lead
screws (230, 250) respectively, such that longitudinal actuating
lead screws (230, 250) in opposite longitudinal directions. For
instance, if an operator rotates articulation control (132) and
rotatable housing (220) in a first rotational direction, lead
screws (230, 250) will translate away from each other (as shown
between FIGS. 9A-9B) due to rotation of internal threading (222,
224) causing contact with threading (232, 252) of lead screws (230,
250), respectively. However, if an operator rotates articulation
control (132) and rotatable housing (220) in a second rotational
direction, lead screws (230, 250) will translate toward each other
(as shown between FIGS. 9A and 9C) due to rotation of internal
threading (222, 224) causing contact with threading (232, 252) of
lead screws (230, 250), respectively.
Each lead screw (230, 250) is coupled with a respective rod portion
(302) of articulation connectors (300) such that translation of
lead screws (230, 250) relative to proximal portion (144) of shaft
assembly (140) translates rod portions (302) of articulation
connectors (300) relative to shaft assembly (140). However, rod
portions (302) of articulation connectors (300) are operable to
rotate with proximal portion (144) of shaft assembly (140) relative
to their respective lead screws (230, 250), such that an operator
may rotate knob (134) to rotate end effector (180) about the
longitudinal axis defined by shaft assembly (140). In other words,
articulation connectors (300) may rotate with shaft assembly (140)
independently of lead screws (230, 250), yet articulation
connectors (300) are longitudinally fixed with lead screws (230).
Any suitable coupling mechanism may be used as would be apparent to
one having ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings
herein. For instance, lead screws (230, 250) may each include an
internal recess configured to allow rotation of a coupling member
relative to lead screws (230, 250), while the internal recess of
lead screws (230, 250) may abut against side walls of the coupling
member to longitudinally drive articulation connection (300).
As mentioned above, articulation connector (300) includes rod
portions (302) that are configured to longitudinally translate
relative to shaft assembly (140) by coupling with lead screws (230,
250). As also described above, each articulation connector (300)
include a flexible band portion (308) slidably disposed within
articulation section (110) of instrument (100); while articulation
connectors (300) each include a distal coupling portion (310) fixed
to proximal body (183) of lower jaw (182). Distal coupling portion
(310) may be fixed to proximal body (183) of lower jaw (182)
through any suitable means known to a person having ordinary skill
in the art in view of the teachings herein, such as welding. As
also mentioned above, articulation section (110) also includes
flexible members (116) that are configured to bend relative to the
longitudinal axis defined by the shaft assembly (140) to allow end
effector (180) to deflect relative to the longitudinal axis defined
by shaft assembly (140).
In an exemplary use, an operator may rotate articulation control
(132) and rotatable housing (220) in a first rotational direction
such that lead screws (230, 250) translate away from each other (as
shown between FIGS. 9A-9B). Because lead screws (230, 250) are each
coupled to a respective articulation connector (300), each
articulation connector (300) translates with its respective lead
screw (230, 250). Therefore, articulation connectors (300)
translate in opposing directions in response to rotation of
articulation control (131) and rotatable housing (220). As
described above, articulation connectors (300) are attached to
proximal body (183) of lower jaw (182) via distal coupling portions
(310). In particular, distal coupling portion (310) of each
articulation connector (300) is attached to an opposite side of
proximal body (183) of lower jaw (182).
As best shown in FIG. 10B, opposing translation of articulation
connectors (300) causes one articulation connector (300) to drive
end effector (180) proximally, while causing another articulation
connector (300) drive end effector (180) distally, thereby
articulating end effector (180) and flexible member (116) of
articulation section (110) to a first articulated configuration.
Band portion (348) and portions of knife member (360) within
central pathway (113) are also flexible to bend with flexible
member (116). The degree to which end effector (180) articulates
relative to the longitudinal axis defined by shaft assembly (140)
may be determined by the longitudinal distance lead screws (230,
250) travel away from each other compared to their positions shown
in FIG. 9A. Therefore, an operator may choose the degree at which
end effector (180) articulates based on the rotational displacement
of articulation control (132) from its home position shown in FIG.
9A.
Additionally, an operator may rotate articulation control (132) and
rotatable housing (220) in a second rotational direction such that
lead screws (230, 250) translate toward each other (as shown
between FIGS. 9A and 9C). Because lead screws (230, 250) are each
coupled to a respective articulation connector (300), each
articulation connector (300) translates with its respective lead
screw (230, 250). Therefore, articulation connectors (300)
translate in opposing directions. As best shown in FIG. 10C,
translation of articulation connectors (300) leads to end effector
(180) being driven to a second articulated configuration. As
described above, articulation connectors (300) are attached to a
proximal body (183) of lower jaw (182) via distal coupling portions
(310). In particular, distal coupling portion (310) of each
articulation connector (300) is attached to an opposite side of
proximal body (183) of lower jaw (182).
As best shown in FIG. 10C, opposing translation of articulation
connectors (300) causes one articulation connector (300) to drive
end effector (180) proximally, while causing another articulation
connector (300) to drive end effector (180) distally, thereby
articulating end effector (180) and flexible member (116) of
articulation section (110) to a first articulated
configuration.
II. Exemplary Articulation Drive Assembly with Tactile/Audible
Feedback
In some instances, it may be difficult for an operator to determine
when end effector (180) and articulation assembly (110) are in the
non-articulated configuration (as shown in FIG. 10A). For instance,
during a procedure, an operator may insert end effector (180),
articulation assembly (110), and a distal end of shaft assembly
(140) into a patient via a pathway provided by a trocar, while end
effector (180) and articulation assembly (110) are in the
non-articulated configuration. After end effector (180),
articulation assembly (110), and the distal end of shaft assembly
(140) are inserted into a patient, the operator may deflect end
effector (180) relative to the longitudinal axis defined by shaft
assembly (140) via articulation control (132) as described above.
After end effector (180) has been moved to an articulated
configuration, it may be necessary to return end effector (180) to
the non-articulated configuration before removing end effector
(180) from the patient via the trocar. Even with visual
confirmation, the operator may believe that end effector (180) is
in the non-articulated configuration, but in reality, end effector
(180) may be partially articulated. Alternatively, end effector
(180) may in fact be in the non-articulated configuration when an
operator begins to remove end effector (180), but may accidentally
deflect to an articulated position via accidental rotation of
articulation control (132).
Removing a partially articulated end effector (180) from a patient
may cause inadvertent consequences. For example, when removing end
effector (180) from the pathway provided by the trocar, the
operator may accidentally cause contact between a partially
articulated end effector (180) and the trocar such that the trocar
is accidentally moved relative to the patient. Such contact may
misalign the trocar, or even completely remove the trocar from the
patient. Therefore, it may be desirable to more readily enable the
operator to confirm that end effector (180) is in the
non-articulated configuration before attempting to remove end
effector (180) from a patient via the pathway provided by the
trocar.
FIGS. 11-15C show how articulation drive assembly (200) of the
present example includes a detent feature that is configured to
allow an operator to readily confirm if end effector (180) is in
the non-articulated configuration (as shown in FIG. 10A). In
particular, proximal cap (210) of articulation drive assembly (200)
includes a cantilever arm (212) extending distally from cap (210),
and terminating into two camming projections (214) defining an open
slot (216). Additionally, rotatable housing (220) includes a
radially protruding ridge (226). As will be described in greater
detail below, radially protruding ridge (226) is configured to
interact with camming projections (214) to deflect cantilever arm
(212) while rotatable housing (220) is driving end effector (180)
toward and away from the non-articulated configuration. The
interaction between radially protruding ridge (226) and cantilever
arm (212) may provide resistive, tactile, and/or audible feedback
to an operator when end effector (180) is driven toward and away
from the non-articulated configuration.
As described above rotatable housing (220) is unitarily connected
to articulation control (132). Therefore, as an operator rotates
rotatable housing (220) relative to body (122) via articulation
control (132), radially protruding ridge (226) also rotates with
rotatable housing (220) relative to body (122). Radially protruding
ridge (226) is positioned along an exterior of rotatable housing
(220) in order to fit within open slot (216) defined by camming
projections (214) when end effector (180) is in the non-articulated
configuration. Additionally, a portion of radially protruding ridge
(226) is directly adjacent to camming projections (214) when
protruding ridge (226) is housed within open slot (216). Therefore,
radially protruding ridge (226) is placed along the exterior of
rotatable housing (220) to selectively interact with camming
projections (214) when rotatable housing (220) drives articulation
toward and away from the non-articulated configuration as described
above. Radially protruding ridge (226) may have gradual radial
contour around an exterior portion of ratable housing (220). This
gradual contour may help radially protruding ridge (225) of
rotatable housing (220) interact with camming projections (214) as
described in greater detail below. In some variations, radially
protruding ridge (226) has an obliquely angled slope rather than a
gradual radial contour.
As best seen in FIG. 13, proximal cap (210) defines a shaft through
hole (215) that is configured to receive proximal portion (144) of
shaft assembly (140). Additionally, proximal cap (210) defines pin
holes (218) that are configured to receive pins (204) to
rotationally fix lead screws (230, 250) relative to proximal cap
(210). As described above, proximal cap (210) is fixed to body
(122) of handle assembly (120). Therefore, as rotatable housing
(220) and radially protruding ridge (226) rotate relative to body
(122), rotatable housing (220) and radially protruding ridge (226)
also rotate relative to proximal cap (210).
Cantilever arm (212) extends distally from proximal cap (210) such
that cantilever arm (212) does not contact rotatable housing (220)
when proximal cap (210) is properly coupled with housing (220),
regardless of the rotational position of housing (220) relative to
proximal cap (210). Camming projections (214) extend distally from
cantilever arm (212) such that camming projections (214) contact
radially protruding ridge (226) when ridge (226) rotates underneath
camming projections (214). Additionally, cantilever arm (212)
and/or camming projections (214) are sufficiently resilient such
that as radially protruding ridge (226) cams against camming
projections (214), cantilever arm (212) and/or camming projections
(214) may deflect from a natural position to a flexed position
relative to the rest of proximal cap (210). When radially
protruding ridge (226) no longer cams against camming projections
(214), cantilever arm (212) and camming projections (214) return
from the flexed position to the natural position. As will be
described in greater detail below, the resilient nature of
cantilever arm (212) and/or camming projections (214) may provide
resistive/tactile/audible feedback when radially protruding ridge
(226) rotates within or out of open slot (216) defined by camming
projections (214).
FIGS. 14A-15C show an exemplary use of articulation drive assembly
(200) to confirm that articulation section (110) and end effector
(180) are in the non-articulated configuration. FIGS. 14A-14C show
handle assembly (120) with a portion of body (122) omitted for
purposes of clarity. FIGS. 14A and 15A show rotatable housing (220)
rotated to a position corresponding with articulation section (110)
and end effector (180) in an articulated configuration. At the
stage depicted in FIGS. 14A and 15A, housing (220) is positioned
such that radially protruding ridge (226) is not in contact with
camming projections (214) and is not within the confines of open
slot (216).
Next, the operator may rotate rotatable housing (220) toward the
non-articulated configuration to the position shown in FIGS. 14B
and 15B. At the position shown in FIGS. 14B and 15B, rotatable
housing (220) is rotated closer to the position corresponding to a
non-articulated configuration of end effector (180). However, end
effector (180) is still partially articulated at the stage depicted
in FIGS. 14B and 15B. As rotatable housing (220) moves from the
position in FIGS. 14A and 15A to the position in FIGS. 14B and 15B,
radially protruding ridge (226) rotates toward camming projection
(214) until radially protruding ridge (226) is camming against and
positioned under camming projection (214). Therefore, radially
protruding ridge (226) is in contact with camming projection (214)
such that the resilient nature of cantilever arm (212) and/or
camming projections (214) flexes cantilever arm (212) and/or
camming projections (214) outwardly from the natural position to
the flexed position.
As radially protruding ridge (226) begins to make contact with
camming projections (214), the operator may begin to feel
resistance caused from the frictional braking force between ridge
(226) and projections (214). The resistance felt by the operator
may indicate that end effector (180) is almost at the
non-articulated configuration. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 15B,
body (122) of handle assembly (120) may include an interior cutout
(121) that is dimensioned to accommodate flexing of cantilever arm
(212) and/or camming projections (214).
Next, the operator may further rotate rotatable housing (220) from
the position shown in FIGS. 14B and 15B to the position shown in
FIGS. 14C and 15C. At the position shown in FIGS. 14C and 15C,
rotatable housing (220) is rotated to the position corresponding to
the non-articulated configuration of end effector (180). As
rotatable housing (220) rotates from the position shown in FIGS.
14B and 15B to the position shown in FIGS. 14C and 15C, radially
protruding ridge (226) no longer cams against camming projections
(214). Thus, radially protruding ridge (226) is housed within open
slot (226) defined by camming projections (214). When radially
protruding ridge (226) no longer cams against camming projections
(214), the resilient nature of cantilever arm (212) and/or camming
projections (214) may force cantilever arm (212) and/or camming
projections (214) to return to the natural position (as shown in
FIGS. 14A, 14C, 15A, 15C). As camming projections (214) and/or
cantilever arm (212) return to the natural position, camming
projections (214) may contact an exterior of rotatable housing
(220) to provide tactile and/or audible feedback to an operator
indicating end effector (180) and articulation section (110) have
returned to the non-articulated configuration. In other words,
camming projections (214) and/or cantilever arm (212) may snap back
into the natural position to provide tactile and/or audible
feedback to an operator indicting end effector (180) and
articulation section (11) have returned to the non-articulated
configuration.
Additionally or alternatively, if the operator tried to rotate
rotatable housing (220) out of the non-articulated configuration,
the operator may encounter sufficient resistance from the
frictional braking force between camming projections (214) and
radially protruding ridge (226) to indicate to the operator that
rotatable housing (220) may be rotating to a position other than
the non-articulated configuration. Additionally, the frictional
braking force provided between camming projections (214) and
protruding ridge (226) while ridge (226) is located within slot
(216) may prevent accidental rotation of housing (220) out of the
non-articulated configuration, which may help accommodate for
removing end effector (180) from a patient and the trocar without
inadvertently contacting a portion of the trocar.
While the current example shows the operator rotating rotatable
housing (220) from an articulated configuration to the
non-articulated configuration, it should be understood that the
interaction between camming projections (214) and radially
protruding ridge (226) may be used to indicate to an operator when
end effector (180) and articulation section (110) have moved away
from the non-articulated configuration to the articulated
configuration as well. Additionally, while the current example
utilizes a radially protruding ridge (226) and a pair of camming
projections (214) to provide a detent feature, any other suitable
elements may be used to form a detent feature as would be apparent
to one having ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings
herein. For example, rotatable housing (220) may include a valley
instead of a ridge, while cantilever arm (212) may include a
radially inwardly oriented projection and be biased against an
exterior of rotatable housing (220) toward valley such that when
cantilever arm (212) and valley are aligned, the radially inwardly
oriented projection of cantilever arm extends within valley.
In addition to providing an audible and/or tactile feedback
feature, and in addition to preventing inadvertent deflection of
end effector (180) from the non-articulated configuration,
cantilever arm (212) and radially protruding ridge (226) may also
promote assembly of articulation drive assembly (200) with
associated components via motion in a longitudinal direction. In
the current example, the open portion of open slot (216) is
distally presented such that ridge (226) may assemble with
cantilever arm (212) via longitudinal insertion of ridge (226)
within open slot (216). In other words, ridge (226) may be
assembled with cantilever arm (212) such that during assembly,
cantilever arm (212) does not flex from its natural position. In
addition, cantilever arm (212) and radially protruding ridge (226)
may cooperate to maintain angular alignment of components of
articulation drive assembly (200) as articulation drive assembly
(200) is assembled with associated components. Thus, cantilever arm
(212) and radially protruding ridge (226) may facilitate assembly
of at least a portion of instrument (100).
III. Exemplary Combinations
The following examples relate to various non-exhaustive ways in
which the teachings herein may be combined or applied. It should be
understood that the following examples are not intended to restrict
the coverage of any claims that may be presented at any time in
this application or in subsequent filings of this application. No
disclaimer is intended. The following examples are being provided
for nothing more than merely illustrative purposes. It is
contemplated that the various teachings herein may be arranged and
applied in numerous other ways. It is also contemplated that some
variations may omit certain features referred to in the below
examples. Therefore, none of the aspects or features referred to
below should be deemed critical unless otherwise explicitly
indicated as such at a later date by the inventors or by a
successor in interest to the inventors. If any claims are presented
in this application or in subsequent filings related to this
application that include additional features beyond those referred
to below, those additional features shall not be presumed to have
been added for any reason relating to patentability.
EXAMPLE 1
An apparatus comprising: (a) a body; (b) a shaft assembly extending
distally from the body, wherein the shaft assembly defines a
longitudinal axis; (c) an articulation section attached to a distal
end of the shaft assembly; (d) an end effector located distally
relative to the shaft assembly, wherein the end effector is
connected to the articulation section; and (e) an articulation
drive assembly, wherein the articulation drive assembly is
configured to drive the articulation section to deflect the end
effector relative to the longitudinal axis from a non-articulated
configuration to an articulated configuration, wherein the
articulation drive assembly comprises: (i) a rotatable housing
rotatably coupled to the body, (ii) a static member fixed relative
to the body, and (iii) an indication feature configured to indicate
when the end effector is deflected into the non-articulated
configuration, wherein the indication feature comprises: (A) a
ridge extending from an exterior surface of the rotatable housing,
and (B) a cantilever arm defining a slot configured to house the
ridge when the end effector is in the non-articulated
configuration.
EXAMPLE 2
The apparatus of Example 1, wherein the slot defines an open end
configured to longitudinally receive the ridge without flexing the
cantilever arm.
EXAMPLE 3
The apparatus of any one or more of Examples 1 through 2, wherein
the static member further comprises a cap coupling the rotatable
housing with the body, wherein the cantilever arm is attached to
the cap.
EXAMPLE 4
The apparatus of Example 3, wherein the ridge is configured to
deflect the cantilever arm when the rotatable housing rotates the
ridge into or out of the slot.
EXAMPLE 5
The apparatus of Example 4, wherein the cantilever arm is
configured to provide a tactile response to the ridge rotating into
or out of the slot.
EXAMPLE 6
The apparatus of any one or more of Examples 4 through 5, wherein
the cantilever arm is configured to provide an audible response to
the ridge rotating into or out of the slot.
EXAMPLE 7
The apparatus of any one or more of Examples 4 through 6, wherein
the cantilever arm is configured to provide a frictional braking
force in response to the ridge rotating into or out of the
slot.
EXAMPLE 8
The apparatus of any one or more of Examples 4 through 7, wherein
the body defines a cutout configured to house the cantilever arm
when deflected by the ridge.
EXAMPLE 9
The apparatus of any one or more of Examples 1 through 8, wherein
the cantilever arm comprises a camming projection extending from
the static member, wherein the camming projection and the ridge are
configured to interact with each other when the end effector is
deflected into the non-articulated configuration.
EXAMPLE 10
The apparatus of Example 9, wherein the camming projection is
resilient such that the ridge is configured to deflect the camming
projection relative to the rotatable housing from a natural
position to a flexed position.
EXAMPLE 11
The apparatus of Example 10, wherein the camming projection is
configured to provide a tactile response against the rotatable
housing when moving from the flexed position to the natural
position.
EXAMPLE 12
The apparatus of any one or more of Examples 9 through 11, wherein
the ridge comprises a radial contour.
EXAMPLE 13
The apparatus of any one or more of Examples 1 through 12, wherein
the end effector comprises at least one electrode operable to apply
RF electrosurgical energy to tissue.
EXAMPLE 14
The apparatus of any one or more of Examples 1 through 13, wherein
the rotatable housing is configured to house a portion of the shaft
assembly.
EXAMPLE 15
The apparatus of Example 14, wherein the rotatable housing is
configured to rotate relative to the shaft assembly.
EXAMPLE 16
The apparatus of any one or more of Examples 14 through 15, wherein
the shaft assembly is configured to translate relative to the
rotatable housing.
EXAMPLE 17
An apparatus comprising: (a) a body; (b) a shaft assembly extending
distally from the body, wherein the shaft assembly defines a
longitudinal axis; (c) an articulation section attached to a distal
end of the shaft assembly; (d) an end effector located distally
relative to the shaft assembly, wherein the end effector is
connected to the articulation section; and (e) an articulation
drive assembly, wherein the articulation drive assembly is
configured to drive the articulation section to thereby deflect the
end effector relative to the longitudinal axis from a
non-articulated configuration to an articulated configuration,
wherein the articulation drive assembly comprises: (i) a housing
rotatably coupled with the body, wherein the housing further
comprises a radially extending ridge, (ii) a cap coupled with the
housing, wherein the cap is fixed to the body, and (iii) a
resilient indication feature extending from the cap toward the
ridge, wherein the ridge is configured to flex the resilient
indication feature to snap against the housing in response to the
end effector deflecting into the non-articulated configuration.
EXAMPLE 18
The apparatus of Example 17, wherein the resilient indication
feature comprises a slot configured to house the ridge when the end
effector is in the non-articulated configuration.
EXAMPLE 19
The apparatus of Example 18, wherein the resilient indication
feature is configured to provide a frictional braking force against
the housing when the ridge is housed within the slot.
EXAMPLE 20
An apparatus comprising: (a) a body; (b) a shaft assembly extending
distally from the body, wherein the shaft assembly defines a
longitudinal axis; (c) an articulation section attached to a distal
end of the shaft assembly; (d) an end effector located distally
relative to the shaft assembly, wherein the end effector is
connected to the articulation section; and (e) an articulation
drive assembly, wherein the articulation drive assembly is
configured to drive the articulation section to thereby deflect the
end effector relative to the longitudinal axis from a
non-articulated configuration to an articulated configuration,
wherein the articulation drive assembly comprises: (i) a cap fixed
to the body, and (ii) a rotatable housing rotatably coupled to the
cap, wherein the rotatable housing comprises a ridge, wherein the
cap comprises a resilient indication feature configured to interact
with the ridge to provide a tactile response in response to the end
effector deflecting into the non-articulated configuration.
IV. Miscellaneous
It should be understood that any of the versions of the instruments
described herein may include various other features in addition to
or in lieu of those described above. By way of example only, any of
the devices herein may also include one or more of the various
features disclosed in any of the various references that are
incorporated by reference herein. For instance, the teachings
herein may be readily combined with various teachings in U.S. Pat.
No. 9,526,565, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference
herein; U.S. Pat. No. 9,492,224, the disclosure of which is
incorporated by reference herein; and/or U.S. Pub. No.
2016/0100882, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,292,758 on May 21, 2019,
the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
Various suitable ways in which such teachings may be combined will
be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.
It should also be understood that any of the devices described
herein may be modified to include a motor or other electrically
powered device to drive an otherwise manually moved component.
Various examples of such modifications are described in U.S. Pub.
No. 2012/0116379, entitled "Motor Driven Electrosurgical Device
with Mechanical and Electrical Feedback," published May 10, 2012,
issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,161,803 on Oct. 20, 2015, the disclosure
of which is incorporated by reference herein. Various other
suitable ways in which a motor or other electrically powered device
may be incorporated into any of the devices herein will be apparent
to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings
herein.
It should also be understood that any of the devices described
herein may be modified to contain most, if not all, of the required
components within the medical device itself. More specifically, the
devices described herein may be adapted to use an internal or
attachable power source instead of requiring the device to be
plugged into an external power source by a cable. Various examples
of how medical devices may be adapted to include a portable power
source are disclosed in U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.
61/410,603, filed Nov. 5, 2010, entitled "Energy-Based Surgical
Instruments," the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference
herein. Various other suitable ways in which a power source may be
incorporated into any of the devices herein will be apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings
herein.
While the examples herein are described mainly in the context of
electrosurgical instruments, it should be understood that various
teachings herein may be readily applied to a variety of other types
of devices. By way of example only, the various teachings herein
may be readily applied to other types of electrosurgical
instruments, tissue graspers, tissue retrieval pouch deploying
instruments, surgical staplers, surgical clip appliers, ultrasonic
surgical instruments, etc. It should also be understood that the
teachings herein may be readily applied to any of the instruments
described in any of the references cited herein, such that the
teachings herein may be readily combined with the teachings of any
of the references cited herein in numerous ways. Other types of
instruments into which the teachings herein may be incorporated
will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.
In versions where the teachings herein are applied to a surgical
stapling instrument, it should be understood that the teachings
herein may be combined with the teachings of one or more of the
following, the disclosures of all of which are incorporated by
reference herein: U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,823, entitled "Pocket
Configuration for Internal Organ Staplers," issued Feb. 21, 1989;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,334, entitled "Surgical Stapler and Staple
Cartridge," issued May 16, 1995; U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,895, entitled
"Surgical Stapler Instrument," issued Nov. 14, 1995; U.S. Pat. No.
5,597,107, entitled "Surgical Stapler Instrument," issued Jan. 28,
1997; U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,432, entitled "Surgical Instrument,"
issued May 27, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,840, entitled "Surgical
Instrument," issued Oct. 7, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,534, entitled
"Articulation Assembly for Surgical Instruments," issued Jan. 6,
1998; U.S. Pat. No. 5,814,055, entitled "Surgical Clamping
Mechanism," issued Sep. 29, 1998; U.S. Pat. No. 6,978,921, entitled
"Surgical Stapling Instrument Incorporating an E-Beam Firing
Mechanism," issued Dec. 27, 2005; U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,818, entitled
"Surgical Stapling Instrument Having Separate Distinct Closing and
Firing Systems," issued Feb. 21, 2006; U.S. Pat. No. 7,143,923,
entitled "Surgical Stapling Instrument Having a Firing Lockout for
an Unclosed Anvil," issued Dec. 5, 2006; U.S. Pat. No. 7,303,108,
entitled "Surgical Stapling Instrument Incorporating a Multi-Stroke
Firing Mechanism with a Flexible Rack," issued Dec. 4, 2007; U.S.
Pat. No. 7,367,485, entitled "Surgical Stapling Instrument
Incorporating a Multistroke Firing Mechanism Having a Rotary
Transmission," issued May 6, 2008; U.S. Pat. No. 7,380,695,
entitled "Surgical Stapling Instrument Having a Single Lockout
Mechanism for Prevention of Firing," issued Jun. 3, 2008; U.S. Pat.
No. 7,380,696, entitled "Articulating Surgical Stapling Instrument
Incorporating a Two-Piece E-Beam Firing Mechanism," issued Jun. 3,
2008; U.S. Pat. No. 7,404,508, entitled "Surgical Stapling and
Cutting Device," issued Jul. 29, 2008; U.S. Pat. No. 7,434,715,
entitled "Surgical Stapling Instrument Having Multistroke Firing
with Opening Lockout," issued Oct. 14, 2008; U.S. Pat. No.
7,721,930, entitled "Disposable Cartridge with Adhesive for Use
with a Stapling Device," issued May 25, 2010; U.S. Pub. No.
2010/0264193, entitled "Surgical Stapling Instrument with An
Articulatable End Effector," published Oct. 21, 2010, issued as
U.S. Pat. No. 8,408,439 on Apr. 2, 2013; and U.S. Pub. No.
2012/0239012, entitled "Motor-Driven Surgical Cutting Instrument
with Electric Actuator Directional Control Assembly," published
Sep. 20, 2012, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,453,914 on Jun. 4, 2013.
Other suitable ways in which the teachings herein may be applied to
a surgical stapling instrument will be apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein.
In versions where the teachings herein are applied to an ultrasonic
surgical instrument, it should be understood that some such
instruments may lack a translating firing beam. The components
described herein for translating a firing beam may instead simply
translate a jaw closing member. Alternatively, such translating
features may simply be omitted. In any case, it should be
understood that the teachings herein may be combined with the
teachings of one or more of the following: U.S. Pat. Pub. No.
2006/0079874, entitled "Tissue Pad for Use with an Ultrasonic
Surgical Instrument," published Apr. 13, 2006, now abandoned, the
disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat.
Pub. No. 2007/0191713, entitled "Ultrasonic Device for Cutting and
Coagulating," published Aug. 16, 2007, now abandoned, the
disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat.
Pub. No. 2007/0282333, entitled "Ultrasonic Waveguide and Blade,"
published Dec. 6, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by
reference herein; U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2008/0200940, entitled
"Ultrasonic Device for Cutting and Coagulating," published Aug. 21,
2008, now abandoned, the disclosure of which is incorporated by
reference herein; U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2011/0015660, entitled
"Rotating Transducer Mount for Ultrasonic Surgical Instruments,"
published Jan. 20, 2011, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,461,744 on Jun.
11, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference
herein; U.S. Pat. No. 6,500,176, entitled "Electrosurgical Systems
and Techniques for Sealing Tissue," issued Dec. 31, 2002, the
disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat.
Pub. No. 2011/0087218, entitled "Surgical Instrument Comprising
First and Second Drive Systems Actuatable by a Common Trigger
Mechanism," published Apr. 14, 2011, issued as U.S. Pat. No.
8,939,974 on Jan. 27, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated
by reference herein; and/or U.S. Pat. No. 6,783,524, entitled
"Robotic Surgical Tool with Ultrasound Cauterizing and Cutting
Instrument," issued Aug. 31, 2004, the disclosure of which is
incorporated by reference herein. Other suitable ways in which the
teachings herein may be applied to an ultrasonic surgical
instrument will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art
in view of the teachings herein.
It should be understood that any one or more of the teachings,
expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. described herein may be
combined with any one or more of the other teachings, expressions,
embodiments, examples, etc. that are described herein. The
above-described teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc.
should therefore not be viewed in isolation relative to each other.
Various suitable ways in which the teachings herein may be combined
will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in
view of the teachings herein. Such modifications and variations are
intended to be included within the scope of the claims.
It should be appreciated that any patent, publication, or other
disclosure material, in whole or in part, that is said to be
incorporated by reference herein is incorporated herein only to the
extent that the incorporated material does not conflict with
existing definitions, configurationments, or other disclosure
material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to the extent
necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes
any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any
material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by
reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions,
configurationments, or other disclosure material set forth herein
will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises
between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure
material.
Versions of the devices described above may have application in
conventional medical treatments and procedures conducted by a
medical professional, as well as application in robotic-assisted
medical treatments and procedures. By way of example only, various
teachings herein may be readily incorporated into a robotic
surgical system such as the DAVINCI.TM. system by Intuitive
Surgical, Inc., of Sunnyvale, Calif. Similarly, those of ordinary
skill in the art will recognize that various teachings herein may
be readily combined with various teachings of U.S. Pat. No.
6,783,524, entitled "Robotic Surgical Tool with Ultrasound
Cauterizing and Cutting Instrument," published Aug. 31, 2004, the
disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
Versions described above may be designed to be disposed of after a
single use, or they can be designed to be used multiple times.
Versions may, in either or both cases, be reconditioned for reuse
after at least one use. Reconditioning may include any combination
of the steps of disassembly of the device, followed by cleaning or
replacement of particular pieces, and subsequent reassembly. In
particular, some versions of the device may be disassembled, and
any number of the particular pieces or parts of the device may be
selectively replaced or removed in any combination. Upon cleaning
and/or replacement of particular parts, some versions of the device
may be reassembled for subsequent use either at a reconditioning
facility, or by an operator immediately prior to a procedure. Those
skilled in the art will appreciate that reconditioning of a device
may utilize a variety of techniques for disassembly,
cleaning/replacement, and reassembly. Use of such techniques, and
the resulting reconditioned device, are all within the scope of the
present application.
By way of example only, versions described herein may be sterilized
before and/or after a procedure. In one sterilization technique,
the device is placed in a closed and sealed container, such as a
plastic or TYVEK bag. The container and device may then be placed
in a field of radiation that can penetrate the container, such as
gamma radiation, x-rays, or high-energy electrons. The radiation
may kill bacteria on the device and in the container. The
sterilized device may then be stored in the sterile container for
later use. A device may also be sterilized using any other
technique known in the art, including but not limited to beta or
gamma radiation, ethylene oxide, or steam.
Having shown and described various embodiments of the present
invention, further adaptations of the methods and systems described
herein may be accomplished by appropriate modifications by one of
ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the
present invention. Several of such potential modifications have
been mentioned, and others will be apparent to those skilled in the
art. For instance, the examples, embodiments, geometrics,
materials, dimensions, ratios, steps, and the like discussed above
are illustrative and are not required. Accordingly, the scope of
the present invention should be considered in terms of the
following claims and is understood not to be limited to the details
of structure and operation shown and described in the specification
and drawings.
* * * * *